Well, it looks like even the new 1.2 RC1 version of Derelict has the black screen bug on some computers.

...bugger

Aaand I'm simply not going to officially release Derelict 1.2 until this bug is fixed. I had a similar bug in my Project Firestart remake that was partially to blame for it getting a critical mauling from the Retro Remakes judges. So I need a hand from anyone who can help.

So, if anyone is getting their bug on their computer, it would really be helpful if you could go through the following steps:

1. Download the just uploaded Derelict 1.2 RC2 (from here) OR just copy the Derelict 1.2 RC2 executable (here) over top of your existing Derelict 1.2 RC1 installation.
2. Play the game until you get a black screen bug, and then press CTRL-F4 to quit
3. Pressing CTRL-F4 also produces a crash report (crash.txt). Email that directly to me (earok3d at gmail dot com) along with details on the OS, Graphics Card, Ram and CPU in your computer, as well as what you were doing in the game at the time of the crash.

If you send me through a crash report I can also add you to the credits if you'd like. Thanks in advance.

Edit - oh, and it'd be nice to know if the same bug happens on your computer on Derelict 1.1, which would narrow the fault down to something that was introduced between that version and the new one.

Earlier this week, 3D Realms (formerly Apogee) was disbanded for lack of funding. I guess this finally brings development of Duke Nukem Forever to a close, after more then a decade of development (Random trivia: Development started two months before development started on Daikatana).

Their last in-house developed game they released was Shadow Warrior back in 1997, though they did produce some popular titles with other development houses (Like Max Payne and Prey). I'm surprised that they managed to last this long with little more then the promise of a long delayed game that couldn't possibly hope to live up to expectations.

I feel sad about their demise as 3D Realms/Apogee developed or published many of my favourite PC games from my youth (Rise of the Triad, Terminal Velocity, Wolfenstein 3D and of course the Duke Nukem games). But, who knows, perhaps the rights for Duke Nukem will fall into the hands of a company that can make a worthy sequel.

Feedback for the beta version is starting to trickle in, thanks especially to Matt Gatland and Philip Truax for their exceptionally helpful feedback.

A revised edition of the 1.2 Beta (version B) is now available for download here.

Bugs fixed

1. Enemy animation
2. Misc sound issues
3. Bug that stopped the map from displaying on some computers (Game would be virtually unplayable without this!)
4. Walls don't clip as badly
5. Defaults to fullscreen instead of windowed

New features / changes

1. Getting attacked from sides/behind no longer results in instant death, and you have a chance to fight back. This should make the game more "fair".
2. Screen turns red when you're under attack, should make it clearer when you're being attacked from behind!
3. Rifle sound isn't as muted
4. Drawing distance has been extended
5. Maximum detail level is now 20

It's still in beta as there are a few more unresolved issues to deal with. If you're still playtesting it, I recommend downloading the new version and extracting that over your existing copy (save games and configuration files won't be overwritten.)

Thanks again for everyone who has taken the time to help me with the beta.

If you've been following any of the major indie game blogs you've probably seen this already, but it's so mindblowing that I have had to post it here too.

This is one of the new games by Cactus, an incredible looking 3D platformer. I really have no idea how he even mentally conceives these games, let alone actually develops it, in Game Maker of all things!

Also - Still haven't had any playtester reports or feedback on Derelict 1.2 (except for some positive comments from beefok, cheers man) so I may have to delay the official release of 1.2 for another week or so.

I'm extremely surprised to find that even though the old Derelict (not counting Sam's mirror, which probably counts for more then half the number of downloads) has been downloaded 33 times this month, the new beta has only been downloaded 6 times!